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Pharma company MSD Ireland announces 330 new jobs for Cork and Carlow

MSD, a multinational pharmaceutical company, has announced that it will create 330 new jobs and invest €280m over the next three years at two of its Irish manufacturing sites in Cork and Carlow.
The new jobs are as a result of increased global demand for MSD’s medicines and vaccines produced in Ireland.
The investment will see both sites expand production facilities and capacity to meet that demand.

Available roles at the sites include technical, engineering, biochemistry, biology, quality and operations positions.
“[The] announcement is a reflection of MSD Ireland’s positive standing in our global network, a vote of confidence in our people and their work, and a sign of MSD’s future commitment to Ireland,” Sanat Chattopadhyay, MSD executive vice president and president of MSD’s manufacturing division, said.

More than 200 new hires will be needed in MSD in Brinny, Co. Cork, a site which engages in the development, testing and manufacturing of biologics, specialising in the fermentation, purification and sterile filling of biotech products.
Meanwhile MSD in Carlow is the company’s first stand-alone vaccine and biologics facility outside the US, and 120 new roles are planned for this facility.

Read more: ‘Ireland’s skilled workforce will keep multinationals here’ – MSD Ireland human health boss
Carlow also is an important link in MSD’s network of sites producing our new immuno-oncology treatment for the global market, the company said.

“The expansion of our presence in Ireland is a testament to the talent of our Irish employees. In recent years our Irish businesses have played an increasingly important role in the production of some of MSD’s most important breakthrough medicines for the global market,” Chattopadhyay contiuned.
The news was welcomed by both Minister Mary Mitchell O’Connor and the ceo of IDA Ireland, Martin Shanahan, who said that the move by MSD “strengthens Ireland’s positioning as a global destination for manufacturing excellence in biopharmaceuticals”.

MSD, which provides healthcare solutions and innovative medicines in areas such as diabetes, heart disease, immuno-oncology, infectious diseases and vaccines, currently employs over 1,600 people across four sites in Ireland, in Carlow, Cork, Dublin and Tipperary.
Its Irish operations encompass manufacturing, commercial, global financial services and marketing facilities, and had a turnover of €4.7 billion in 2016.

To-date the company has invested over $2.5bn in expanding and developing its facilities here.